Preview: Twins at Rays

April 21, 2012|Reuters

With all the marquee names changing teams in the off-season, it's easy to understand how the Minnesota Twins' signing of Josh Willingham fell under the radar. That's no longer the case following the hot start by Willingham, who has hit in each of the first 14 games and delivered a go-ahead, three-run double in Minnesota's 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Willingham can tie the franchise mark for a season-opening hitting streak when the Twins face the host Rays on Saturday.

Willingham stole the thunder from Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, who had given the Rays the lead with his second home run in as many games and has driven in seven runs during a four-game hitting streak. Matt Joyce also homered for Tampa Bay, his fourth of the season and third in the last four games. The respective aces will square off Saturday when Rays right-hander James Shields opposes Twins righty Carl Pavano.

Pavano looked like he was headed for an early exit last time out at Yankee Stadium when he was tagged for three runs on four hits, including two homers, in the first inning. But he bounced back to throw six scoreless innings and earn his first win. Pavano has had success shutting down Tampa Bayâs big boppers. Longoria is 2-for-13 and Carlos Pena 1-for-11 against him.

Shields was shaky in his season debut against the Yankees, but is coming off two strong performances, including 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Boston Red Sox last time out. Shields tossed a major league-leading 11 complete games last year, but was pulled against the Red Sox when his pitch count reached 115. He has struggled against Twins left-handers Joe Mauer (.381) and Justin Moreau (.348).

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays center fielder B.J. Upton came off the disabled list and went 0-for-3 in his season debut Friday night. He is 7-for-16 lifetime against Pavano.

2. Mauer had a pair of RBI singles to boost his average to .443 (31-for-70) with 19 RBIs in 18 games at Tropicana Field.

3. Minnesotaâs Kirby Puckett hit safely in the first 15 games of the season in 1994.